For a state that built a city with both skyway systems and universities with mass underground tunnels for shelter in its Arctic-like temperatures, we see an opposite trend in terms of bicycling planning . While Minneapolis is known for being one of the coldest cities in America, in 2011 Bicycling Magazine also claimed it be the #1 bike city, beating out more moderate climates such as San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, and the well-known bicycle capital, Portland. How can Minneapolis compete with such large powerhouse cities? Why does the bike culture here thrive in such an unforgiving climate?

Lets first start in 2010, when Nice Ride Minnesota began an initiative to allow all residents bike access through a Twin Cities-wide bike share program. While Minnesotans have be known to explore the outdoors and use that as an opportunity to exercise, over the past decade there has been a shift from recreational biking, to community based initiatives to increase bicycling as means of transportation. Being the largest and most successful bike-share programs in the country, by mid-2013 Nice Ride boasts over 700,000 rides have been taken thanks to their system.

In addition to providing community-based programs that allow hassle-free access to bicycling, there has been an increase in urban planning that accommodates for both on-road and off-road bicycling paths. According to the City of Minneapolis, we presently have ninety-two miles of on-street bikeways and eighty-five miles of off-street bike paths. Moreover, with the addition of paths that are specifically designated for pedestrian only use, such as the Midtown Greenway, the Dinkytown Greenway, and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail, which is often referred to as “Americas first bike freeway,” the city has allowed for uninterrupted bicycle travel as a means of transportation.

This need to accommodate for the safety of bicyclists can also be seen through Minneapolis’ implementation of complete streets. Take for example, the intersection at 15th and University Avenue, where the main entrance to the University of Minnesota is located. This highly congested node that sees hundreds of bicyclists a day has recently been altered to accommodate pedestrians by implementing a large and visible waiting lane, and a traffic light specifically designated to the travel of bicyclists into the university.

Given the opportunity, Minnesotans will skate on rinks of ice, sled down snowy hills, and ski through trails. Similarly, when safe bicycle trails are available in the city, residents will use them both for recreation and travel.

Minnesotans are brutes, and will always be. Combine that with smart urban and environmental planning, and we could see the bicycling community continue to grow exponentially.

How does your city accommodate the needs of bikers? In what ways is the popularity of biking based on factors other than just the amount of lanes and trails?

Abbey Seitz is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Design of Art in
Architecture and minor in Sustainability Studies from the University of
Minnesota, Twin Cities. Growing up in a small suburb of St Paul,
Minnesota, she knew no different than cold snowy winters filled with
snowball fights and summers spent swimming in one of Minnesota’s many
lakes. It was there that she gained an interest for the urban environment. This interest
brought her to study in Chicago, Honolulu, and now Minneapolis, where she
has honed her studies; how we can design and repair our cities to be
environmentally sustainable and livable. Specifically in Minneapolis, she
is intrigued in investigating how livable communities can be created
through complete streets, public transportation, and urban agriculture.

Andy–Defiantly true. Even on the coldest, snowiest days I see committed bikers in the city. I think that is it good that us Minnesotans to break out of our shell of the indoors and be able to experience the city. That being said, we need bike paths free of snow from the community, and maybe some ‘long-johns’ for ourselves.

Great blog Abbey! I’m really interested in the process a city must go through to creating more bicycle lanes and pathways, along with more bike parking. Could be a good topic for a #thegrid Twitter Chat!

I recently started cycling as a means of transportation in Calgary , AB, Canada, a city known for a large geographical area and urban sprawl. Surprisingly, I find traveling by bike to be very safe and fast. I can get quite far around the city on uninterrupted bicycle trails and there are an increasing number of bike lanes downtown. It’s totally changed how I see and experience the city.

Robert-Thanks for the insight! I will defiantly look into twitter chats for this topic.
Julie–I defiantly have had the same experiences. For me, bicycling is the fastest way to to my campus, compared to both bus and automobile. Even more, I feel so much more connected to the people and the environment when I bike–although I’ve lived in Minnesota almost my entire life, I felt something completely new towards the city when I started biking in Minneapolis. I would love to try to bike in Canada sometime!

Minneapolis has an incredible bicycle system, just like the article states. Working downtown is an easy commute on bicycle, with great bike-share lanes offering smooth and safe access from outside the downtown core into the thick of it. However, one of my favorite aspects is the variety. From downtown Minneapolis the trail system is extensive and elaborate, offering a variety of terrain, views and options.

From early Spring to late Fall, once to twice a week, I choose my bicycle adventure home. From a simple stroll, 10 mi, to the longer route, 35mi, I’m able to bike by the Mississippi River, multiple lakes, acres of parkland full of trees and all the while on a trail that ‘s designated purely for biking, no cars. The variety is amazing and the views are constantly changing, yet always beautiful.